Conserving and restoring the Caicos pine forests: The first decade.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Forestry

Background:

• The Caicos pine (Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis), endemic to the Bahaman archipelago, faced severe decline due to the invasive pine tortoise scale (Toumeyella parvicornis).
• Most Caicos pine trees in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) died within a decade due to this infestation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a restoration strategy for the endemic Caicos pine.
• To address the ecological impact of the invasive pine tortoise scale on Caicos pine populations.

Main Methods:

• Establishing a native plant nursery for rescuing wild saplings and cultivating new ones from local seeds.
• Identifying and mapping Core Conservation Areas (CCAs) for Caicos pine forests.
• Creating Restoration Trial Plots and a seed orchard for propagation and monitoring.

Main Results:

• Over 450 Caicos pine trees have been planted in the Pine Cay CCA.
• Restoration efforts have achieved a high survival rate (>80%) for the planted saplings.
• Successful rescue and cultivation of Caicos pine saplings were achieved through horticultural expertise.

Conclusions:

• Multi-disciplinary research and local/international conservation efforts are crucial for restoring the Caicos pine.
• The established nursery, seed orchard, and trial plots provide a foundation for long-term Caicos pine forest restoration.
• Effective conservation strategies can mitigate the impact of invasive species on endemic flora.